Iran fires missiles as retribution for attack on parade

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said Monday that it launched ballistic missiles into eastern Syria, targeting militants the force blames for a recent attack on a military parade in Iran. The launch was the Islamic Republic’s second such missile attack on Syria in over a year. Iranian state television and the state-run IRNA news agency said the missiles “killed and wounded” militants in Syria, without elaborating. Syrian state media did not immediately acknowledge the strike. The TV aired footage of one of its reporters standing by as one of the missiles was launched, identifying the area as being in Iran’s western province of Kermanshah. A state TV-aired graphic suggested the missiles flew over central Iraq near the city of Tikrit before landing near the city of Abu Kamal, in the far southeast of Syria. Abu Kamal is held by forces loyal to Syria’s embattled President Bashar Assad. However, the city has been targeted even now by militants from the extremist Islamic State group, who have lost almost all the territory they once held in Syria and Iraq. One missile shown on state television bore the slogans “Death to America, Death to Israel, Death to Al Saud,” referring to Saudi Arabia’s ruling family. The missile also bore in Arabic the phrase “kill the friends of Satan,” referring to a verse in the Quran on fighting infidels. “This is the roaring of missiles belonging to the Revolutionary Guard of the Islamic Revolution,” the state TV’s reporter said as the missiles launched behind him. “In a few minutes, the world of arrogance – especially America, the Zionist regime and the Al Saud – will hear the sound of Iran’s repeated blows.” The semi-official Fars news agency, believed to be close to the Guard, identified the six missiles used as Zolfaghar and Qiam variants, which have ranges of 750 kilometers (465 miles) and 800 kilometers (500 miles) respectively. Iran also launched drone attacks on the site afterward, state TV reported. Analyst Hadi Seyed Afghahi, who is close to Iran’s establishment and the Guard, said he believes the missiles were launched in coordination with the Syrian government. The launch adds to confusion over who carried out the assault on a military parade in the Iranian city of Ahvaz on Sept. 22 that killed at least 24 people and wounded over 60. Iran initially blamed Arab separatists for the attack in which gunmen disguised as soldiers opened fire on the crowd and officials watching the parade from a viewing platform in the southwestern city. Arab separatists also immediately claimed credit for the attack.

BEHRAD GHASEMI/ISNA/AP Iranian armed forces members and civilians take shelter during a shooting at a military parade in the city of Ahvaz.